F4C5 Key Concept

Chemical Bond
(To achieve stable duplet/octet
electron arrangement)

Ionic Bond Covalent Bond

(share electron)
(Transfer electron)

Non Metal Non Metal

Metal
(donate electron) + Non Metal
(accept electron)
(Share electron) + (Share electron)

1 (G1) 2 (G2) 3 (G13) 5 (G15) 6 (G16) 7 (G17) 4 (G14) 5 (G15) 6 (G16) 7 (G17)
(Contribute (Contribute (Contribute (Contribute
(+1) (+2) (+3) (-3) (-2) (-1)
4e-) 3e-) 2e-) 1e-)

G Covalent Bond
G Equation G Equation
14 C 2.4 Need 4 more e- 4 Single / 2 double
1 Na 2.8.1 Na → Na+ + e- 15 N 2.5 N + 3e- → N3-
15 N 2.5 Need 3 more e- Triple Bond
2 Mg 2.8.2 Mg → Mg2+ + 2e- 16 O 2.6 O + 2e- → O2-
16 O 2.6 Need 2 more e- Double Bond
13 Al 2.8.3 Al → Al3+ + 3e- 17 F 2.7 F + e- → F -
17 Cl 2.7 Need 1 more e- Single Bond

Formation of Magnesium Fluoride, MgF2 Formation of tetrachloromethane molecule, CCl4

1) A magnesium atom has an electron arrangement of
2.8.2. A magnesium atom has two valence electrons. 1) A carbon atom has an electron arrangement of 2.4. It has
2) Each magnesium atom loses two electrons from its four valence electrons. Each carbon atom needs four more
valence shell to achieve a stable octet electron
electrons to achieve a stable octet electron arrangement
arrangement. A positive ion, Mg2+ is formed.
2) A chlorine atom has an electron arrangement of 2.8.7. It has
seven valence electrons. Each chlorine atom needs one
more electron to achieve a stable octet electron
3) A fluorine atom has an electron arrangement of 2.7. A arrangement
fluorine atom has seven valence electrons. 3) As a result, one carbon atom will combine with four
4) Each fluorine atom accepts one electron into its valence chlorine atom through the sharing of electrons. One carbon
shell to achieve a stable octet electron arrangement. A atom contributes four electrons and each of the four
negative ion, F- is formed. chlorine atoms contributes one electron for sharing.
4) Hence, a covalent molecule, CCl4, with four single covalent
bonds is formed.
5) Hence, one magnesium ion, Mg2+ and two fluoride ions,
F-, are formed.
6) The oppositely-charged ions formed, Mg2+ and F-, are
then strongly attracted to each other by strong
electrostatic forces in the crystal lattice, called
ionic bonds or electrovalent bonds.
Draw the electron arrangement for the following molecule

Cl (17) & Cl (17) O (8) & O (8)

N (7) & N (7) C (6) & O (8)

H (1) & O (8) N (7) & F (9)

Physical Ionic Compound Covalent Compound

properties
Melting • Ionic compounds have very high melting point • Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling
point and and boiling point. This is because a lot of heat is points. This is because only a small amount of heat is
boiling point needed to overcome the strong electrostatic needed to overcome the weak forces of attraction
force between the ions. between molecules.
Electrical • Ionic compounds are electrolytes which conduct • Covalent compounds are not electrolytes and cannot
conductivity electricity in a molten state or aqueous solution conduct electricity in both molten and solid states.
as they have ions that move freely to carry Covalent compounds are made up of neutral molecules.
electrical charges.
• Ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity in
solid form. Because ions in solid form are fixed in
position in the crystal lattice structure and do
not move freely.
Solubility • Normally, ionic compounds are soluble in water • Normally, covalent compounds are soluble in organic
but not soluble in organic solvents such as solvent but not soluble in water.
tetrachloromethane, benzene and ether.
Volatility • Ionic compounds do not vapourise easily due to • Covalent compounds vapourise easily due to its low
its high boiling point. boiling point.
Physical • Ionic compounds exist as crystals under room • Covalent compounds can exist in a solid state, liquid
state conditions. state or gaseous state at room conditions.
Example: Solid - iodine
Liquid - bromine
Gas – Chlorine